KEY ACTION Mayor John Bitikofer appointed Dan Varner as fire chief, effective Jan. 1. He will serve a six-month probationary period. Bitikofer said the firemen voted in December and selected Varner as their fire chief. Eric Houze is assistant chief.

In another matter, council agreed to continue the composting program in the village for the next six months and then it will be reviewed. The compost site is off E. First Street. The village received a letter that compost collection by Earth-n-Wood would no longer be free of charge, effective Dec. 31. The cost to remove the compost is now $275 per pull.

Village residents pay $12 per year and township residents pay $15 per year for the service. Village residents are charged $1 a month on their water and sewer bills for the composting service. Township residents wanting the service may come into the village office and pay the $15. Fiscal officer Jennifer Mahoney said she plans to apply for a mini-grant to help with funds to continue the composting program.

DISCUSSION Matt and Ryan Immel attended the meeting to discuss their interest in purchasing new apartments that have been constructed off Seventh Street NW. The apartments were constructed by Billy Krantz. Matt Immel said they plan to finish construction of four additional apartments in 18 months to two years.

Law Director Richard Fox will meet with the prospective buyers of the property and the real estate agent.

OTHER ACTION

• Passed a resolution authorizing the village to establish a source water protection plan for the village. The plan will be approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency prior to implementation.

• Heard the second reading of a resolution to place a 0.5-percent income tax on the May 6 ballot.

• Heard the second reading of a ordinance to provide for an increase of income tax, which will be 0.5 percent, with collection to begin July 1.

• Heard Bitikofer laude Brent Metzger for his years of serving on the fire department and as chief.

• Heard Varner report the fire department responded to 437 calls in 2013. He said the firefighters have reorganized and committees are being formed.

• Voted Bruce Metzger as president pro-tem for 2014.

• Approved Ivan Anderson and Andrew Russ as auxiliary police officers. They do not receive pay.

• Learned two public hearings will be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 on a property at 1272 N. Wooster Ave. The owner, Lewis Hayberg, wants the property rezoned for business.

• Heard the Grumman firetruck was sold to Rush township for $4,000.

• Met in executive session to discuss personnel and three pending legal matters. No action was taken.

FOR YOUR INFO

• Prior to the meeting Law Director Richard Fox administered the oath of office to council members Marty Zehnder, Bill Harstine, Bruce Metzger and Jeff Smith.